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PREFACE. 



No matter how vigorously we may deny it, each 
and every one of us has a pet superstition, a latent sur- 
vival of the dark ages. 

It has been our purpose to compile in brief form a 
summary of the most popular beliefs and the sayings in 
this little pamphlet have been taken from English, Irish, 
Negro, Chinese, German and Russian folklore. 



Copyright 1915. 



0,YO 

©CIA409319 

AUG 21 1915 



Some Old-Time Superstitions. 



Drop a slice of bread and butter, a hungry visitor will come. 

Eat Goose on New Year's or Michaelmas Day, you will have 
plenty of money throughout the coming year. 

Pick an oak apple with a worm in it; you will be rich; with 
a fly in it, however, poverty must be yours. 

Meet a man with a wooden leg, you may expect a surprise 
soon. 

Break your apron string, your lover is thinking of you. 

To hear the screeching of an owl indicates impending 
calamity. 

It is an exceedingly suspicious omen for a cat to sneeze 
when a bride enters the house. 

Have an irritation of the right foot, you will walk on 
strange ground with good results; your left foot having the 
opposite effect. 

The last Friday of each month is the almanac index for 
the next month. If the weather be fair, the month will be 
likewise; if foul, so will the month be. 

Break your needle when sewing a garment, you will live to 
wear it out. 

When you find tea grounds floating in your cup you know 
that you are going to have company. If the grounds are soft 
it is a woman; if hard, a man. If the grounds are long, the 
person coming is tall; if short, the visitor will be short. 

See a frog sitting on dry grounds in the springtime, you 



ARE YOU SUPERSTITIOUS? 



will shed as many tears during the year as will make a pond 
large enough for it to swim in. 

If a black cat follow you, good luck will be yours; if it run 
across your path, you will soon meet with misfortune. If it 
comes to your house, you will receive money from an unex- 
pected source. 

To hear a watch tick and not be able to locate it indicates 
death of a dear one; also to hear water dripping in a cupboard, 
indicates death of a near relative. 

If a picture fall from the wall you will shortly hear of 
the death of a close friend. 

Take an infant upstairs before taking him down and good 
fortune will always be his. 

If the right ear burns, someone is speaking well of us; if 
the left, we are being spoken ill of. 

To leave the house and have to return for something brings 
bad luck; the spell may be broken by sitting down and counting 
thirteen. 

Break a looking-glass and for seven years misfortune will 
surely be yours. 

To cross a funeral procession is an ill omen. 

To be startled by a snake is a sign of sickness. 

To sing during any meal means sure disappointment. 

If a vacant rocking chair is rocked violently, the next per- 
son who sits in it will be in danger of becoming ill during the 
year. 

When you sleep in a strange bed, if you dream, tell it before 
breakfast and the dream will come to pass. 

Sneeze on Monday, sign of danger, 

Sneeze on Tuesday, kiss a stranger, 

Sneeze on Wednesday, receive a letter, 

Sneeze on Thursday — something better, 

Sneeze on Friday, sneeze for sorrow, 

Sneeze on Saturday, meet your sweetheart tomorrow. 

Sneeze on Sunday, beware how you speak or the devil will 



ARE YOU SUPERSTITIOUS? 



have you the rest of the week. 

Sneezing has been held ominous from times of the most 
remote antiquity. St. Austin tells us that the ancients were 
wont to go to bed again if they sneezed while they put on their 
shoe. Sneezing from noon to midnight is good but from night to 
noon unlucky. 

Salt falling toward one is a very unlucky omen. Misfor- 
tune will befall the person spilling it. It also denotes the quar- 
relling of friends, it is thought, however, the evil consequences 
arising from spilling salt may be averted by throwing a little 
of the salt over the left shoulder or immediately eating a pinch 
of it. 

To rise on the right side is accounted lucky. 

To put the left shoe on the right foot or the right on the 
left, is the forerunner of some unlucky accident. If you acci- 
dentally put on any garment wrong side out, and make a wish 
before changing it, the wish will come true. It is lucky to acci- 
dentally put on a garment wrong side out. 

Washing the hands in the same water with another person 
is very unlucky, as the parties will infallibly quarrel. 

If a candle burn blue it is a sign there is a spirit in the 
house. A collection of tallow rising up against the wick of a 
candle is styled a winding sheet and deemed an omen of death 
in the family. 

If two spoons are accidently placed in a cup or saucer at 
table, it signifies that a wedding will soon take place in the 
family. 

A cat sneezing is a lucky omen to a bride who is to be 
married the next day. 

To remove a cat with a family, when changing residence 
will bring bad luck. 

If you make a rhyme involuntarily, make a wish before 
speaking again and it will be fulfilled. 

If one of the male sex enters your house first on New Year's 
Day, good luck will be yours the coming year; but if one of the 



ARE YOU SUPERSTITIOUS? 



fair sex enter first, it augurs ill. 

If a little spider falls by chance upon one's clothes, money 
will surely be received, if they are not destroyed or injured in 
being removed from the person on whom observed. 

It is deemed very lucky to have swallows build their nest in 
the eaves of a house, or in the chimneys. 

If you sing before breakfast you will cry before night. 

If a spider in weaving his web in some high place comes 
down before your face, you may look for money from some un- 
expected source. 

It is a lucky sign to have crickets in the house. 

It is a sign of death to someone in the house where crickets 
have been for many years, if on a sudden they forsake the 
chimney. 

If a knife, scissors or any sharp-pointed instrument is 
dropped and stands sticking in the floor, company may be ex- 
pected. 

The right hand itching is a sign that the person will shake 
hands with a stranger, the left hand itching is a sign that 
money will be received soon. 

To find a four-leaf clover implies good luck; a five leafed 
clover, bad luck. 

If four persons cross hands while in the act of shaking 
hands, it indicates that two of the party will soon be married. 

Of course, everyone knows the old superstition "See a pin, 
pick it up and all the day you will have good luck." Some even 
go farther by saying a pin pointed toward you brings better 
fortune if picked up than if the head is toward you. 

To find a hair pin denotes that one will soon have a new 
sweetheart, if the pin is small he or she will be short, if large — 
tall. 

If a bird fly into a room, someone in the house will surely 
die. 

It is considered an ill omen to see a spicier in the morning. 
When found in the evening a spider signifies good luck. 



ARE YOU SUPERSTITIOUS 



If your nose itches early in the morning, you will on that 
very day hear a piece of good news. 

Lay under your pillow a prayer-book, opened at the matri- 
monial service, bound round with the garters you wore that day, 
and a sprig of myrtle on the page that says "With this ring I 
thee wed" and your dream will be ominous, and you will have 
your fortune as well told as if you had paid a dollar to an 
astrologer, Zingara tells us. 

If you sneeze shortly after being told a piece of news, you 
may be sure it has been true. 

If one's nose bleed, he had best beware, bad luck is lurking- 
near. 

The removal of a long worn ring from the finger is an omen 
of bad luck. 

To drop a dishcloth, duster or any cleaning cloth signifies 
the arrival of one or more visitors. 

The superstition has become almost universal that the tick- 
ling of a little insect called the "death-watch" presages the 
death of someone in the house. 

The following witty account of this superstition, by Dean 
Swift furnishes us with a charm to avert the omen: 

— "A wood-worm, 
That lies in old wood, like a hare in her form, 
With teeth or with claws it will bite, or will scratch, 
And chambermaids christen this worm a death-watch, 
Because, like a watch it always cries click; 
Then woe be to those in the house who are sick; 
For as sure as a gun they will give up the ghost, 
If the maggot cries click, when it scratches the post, 
But a kettle of boiling hot water injected 
Infallibily cures the timber affected; 
The omen is broken, the danger is over, 
The maggot will die, and the sick will recover." 

If thirteen sit down to the table together, the first one to 
rise will die within the vear. 



ARE YOU SUPERSTITIOUS? 



If a dog bays at your window at night, it portends sickness 
or death. 

In olden times it was not considered a good omen to find 
money. It is a very lucky omen to find a horseshoe. 

There is luck in odd numbers, thirteen being the exception. 

To find a knife or razor denotes ill luck and disappointment 
to the finder. 

To see a new moon for the first time over the left shoulder, 
is a sign of bad luck; over the right shoulder, good luck. 

To have money in the pocket at the time of the new moon is 
a sign the person will not be out of money before the next moon. 

A knife is in all countries an unlucky present and a pair of 
scissors is equally bad. If a pin or penny is given in exchange 
the ill effects can be avoided. 

It is unlucky says Grosse to lay one's knife and fork cross- 
wise, crosses and misfortunes are likely to follow. 

Cauls are little membranes found on some children, en- 
compassing the head when born. This is thought to be a good 
omen to the child itself, and many believe that whoever obtains 
it by purchase will be fortunate and escape dangers. The caul 
is esteemed an infallible preservative against drowning, and is 
much sought after by sailors. 

Sailors are very superstitions; they consider it ominous ta 
whistle on shipboard, or carry a corpse on their vessel. Whist- 
ling at sea is supposed to cause wind, and is, therefore, disliked, 
except when there is a dead calm. The common-sailors account 
it very unlucky to lose a water-bucket or a mop. It is also 
unlucky to throw a cat overboard or drown one at sea. Children 
are deemed lucky to a ship, clergymen very unlucky. 

If no falling stars are to be seen on a bright summer's 
evening, fine weather may be expected. On seeing a falling star 
make a wish quickly and it will be granted. 

A rainbow toward evening is a promise of clear weather, if 
seen in the morning, look for rain. 

A February fog denotes a May frost. 



ARE YOU SUPERSTITIOUS? 



It is considered very lucky to keep an old pair of shoes 
around the house. 

It is very unlucky to kill a cat. 

WERE YOU BORN ON A LUCKY DAY? 

Child of Sunday, will always have money, 

Child of Monday, fair of face, 

Child of Tuesday, full of grace, 

Child of Wednesday, loving and giving, 

Child of Thursday, will have to work for a living, 

Child of Friday, child of woe, 

Child of Saturday will have far to go. 

The Scotch superstition is — 

Whenever a cat in the house is black, 
The lassies of lovers will have no lack. 

Putting a wishbone of a fowl over the door will show one's 
future husband in the first eligible male who enters. 

Two persons take a wishbone, make a wish and break with 
the little fingers; the one getting the long end will get his 
wish, the one getting the short end will be married first. 

To drop a comb means a sure disappointment unless picked 
up by someone other than he who dropped it. 

If an infant does not cry at all during baptism, it will not 
live. 

To thank anyone for the gift of a pin indicates a quarrel. 

WEDDING SUPERSTITIONS. 

The best months in the year in which to marry: 

JANUARY: Those who are wedded in the first month of the 

year 
Will have cause for rejoicing, and none for 
fear. 
FEBRUARY: Those selecting February for their wedding day 
Will have cause for sorrow, grief and dismay. 
MARCH: The month of March for the wedding ring 



ARE YOU SUPERSTITIOUS? 



Will triumph o'er all troubles bring. 
APRIL: Wedded this month no cause for strife 

A most delightful wedded life. 
MAY: Those who are wedded in the month of May 

Will surely have cause to rue the day. 
JUNE: The best of wedding months is this — 

With little of trouble, and much of bliss. 
JULY: A most excellent month to wed is July, 

On domestic comfort you can well rely. 
AUGUST: To wed in August is not so good, 

There will be lack of money — perhaps lack of 
food. 
SEPTEMBER: To be married in the month of September— 

You'll have both joys and sorrows to remember. 
OCTOBER: If in October your wedding invitations you're 

giving, 

'Tis surely a sign you'll work hard for your 
living. 
NOVEMBER: If you be married this month when leaves are 
thin 

All sorts of hardships for you will begin. 
DECEMBER: Married in cold December weather — 

Happy you'll go through life together. 



Then again in contradiction to this, we have the following: 

Married in January's hoar and rime, 
Widowed you'll be before your time. 
Married in February's sleety weather 
Life you'll tread in tune together. 
Married when March winds chill and roar 
Your home will be on a foreign shore. 
Married 'neath April's changeful skies 
A checkered path before you lies. 
Married when bees o'er May blooms flit 
Strangers round your board will sit. 
Married in month of roses — June — 



ARE YOU SUPERSTITIOUS? 



Life will be one long honeymoon. 
Married in July, with flowers ablaze 
Bittersweet memories in after days. 
Married in August's heat and drowse 
Lover and friend in your chosen spouse. 
Married in golden September's glow 
Smooth and serene your life will flow. 
Married when leaves in October thin 
Toil and hardship for you begin. 
Married in veils of November mist 
Dame Fortune your wedding ring has kissed. 
.Married in days of December's cheer 
Love's star burns brighter from year to year. 

And it is always said that a bright sunshiny day is most 
favorable for weddings, while a gloomy rainy day portends ill 
omen. 

Blest be the bride 

That the sun shines on. 

Apropos of weddings, it is also said that a bride should 
always wear "something old and something new, something 
borrowed and something blue." Moreover should the bride be 
persuaded to wear the garter of an unmarried female around 
her left knee during the wedding ceremony, the latter will surely 
be married within a year. 

In the matter of colors in the bride's wedding dress, we 
have again the old rhyme: 

Married in black, you'll wish yourself back. 
Married in red, you'll wish yourself dead. 
Married in pink, your spirits will sink. 
Married in yellow, ashamed of the fellow. 
Married in gray, you'll go far away. 
Married in brown, you'll live out of town. 
Married in green, ashamed to be seen. 
Married in blue, he will always be true. 
Married in white, you've chosen all right. 



AEE YOU SUPERSTITIOUS? 



FORTUNATE AND UNFORTUNATE DAYS IN THE WEEK 
ON WHICH TO MARRY. 

SUNDAY: It is the almost universal custom to choose 

any other day in the week in preference to 

this one. 
MONDAY: Couples married upon this day will have a 

successful future before them. They may 

occasionally be imposed upon, but not often. 
TUESDAY: Should the wedded couple take care to govern 

their tempers, and avoid giving cause for 

jealousy, this will prove a fortunate day upon 

which to wed. 
WEDNESDAY: Marriages taking place upon this day will 

prove happy to both parties. 
THURSDAY: A most fortunate day, on which to wed, 

predicting wealth in love and also in this 

world's goods. They will prosper abundantly. 
FRIDAY: Another lucky day for weddings. Indicative 

of health, wealth and high position in society. 

They will succeed in all they undertake. 
SATURDAY: Most unlucky. Foreshadows great trouble 

and loss of fortune. 

Another wedding day superstition — told in rhyme — rather 
conflicts with the above. It goes in this wise: 

Monday for health, 

Tuesday for wealth, 

Wednesday the best day of all, 

Thursday for losses, 

Friday for crosses, 

And Saturday no luck at all. 

In this as well as in the foregoing, Saturday is unfortunate, and 
Wednesday considered very good. Sunday is not mentioned at 
all. 

It is said that a married person will not get rich until their 



ARE YOU SUPERSTITIOUS? H 

wedding clothes are worn out. 

It is also unlucky for a bride to view herself in a mirror in 
her wedding costume before she is married. It is unlucky for 
either bride or bridegroom to see a funeral procession on their 
wedding day. 

At the wedding, when the bride shows her bouquet the dam- 
sel catching it will be the next bride. And also at a shower given 
for a bride — the guest presenting the first parcel which she (the 
bride) opens, will be the next to wed. 

Should the bride elect stumble going up stairs — her wedding 
day will be unfavorable. Should she fall, sustaining injury, the 
reverse is predicted. 

Should the wedding party meet a funeral procession it is 
considered extremely unlucky for the future happiness of the 
bride and groom. 

Should the bridegroom not be on hand at the exact moment 
he is wanted during the ceremony, it is extremely unlucky in 
several ways. 

Should the ring be dropped during the ceremony, it is an 
extremely unlucky omen. 

The custom of throwing rice after a married couple comes 
to us from the Chinese, and means literally "May you have as 
many children as these grains of rice number." 

The custom of throwing an old shoe after a newly wedded 
pair is a very old superstition, and is supposed to insure them 
good fortune. This superstition, however, is not confined to 
newlyweds, but to anyone starting on a journey. 

SIGNS BY WHICH TO CHOOSE GOOD HUSBANDS AND 

WIVES. 

If the party have a clear ruddy skin, full nosed, and arched 
eyebrows, full eyes, of a lively color, it denotes a goodnatured 
person, born to good luck. 

Should the person be lean and of a dusky complexion, given 
to melancholy, beware of such. 



12 ARE YOU SUPERSTITIOUS? 

A rather wide mouth, full cheeks, small ears, dark hair, 
ordinary features, is considered good. 

A very long chin with protruding underlip signifies a cranky 
person, not a good business person, yet given to folly. 

A well set broad chin in a man is good, provided' his face be 
round but not too fat. 

LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. 

ANEMONE: I think of you always. 

BUTTERCUP: Your nearness is consoling. 

APPLE BLOSSOM: I fear the result. 

CARNATION: How I want you. 

CLOVER BLOSSOM: I will live always for you. 

COLUMBINE: Your words are plausible. 

DAFFODIL: Don't let me grieve. 

HEARTSEASE: I think of you. 

HELIOTROPE: I require proof of your affection. 

HONEYSUCKLE: I will be faithful. 

HYACINTH: You'll be sorry you were so unkind to me. 

IRIS: Why have you disturbed my peaceful heart? 

LILY (white) : I adore you. 

MARIGOLD: I dislike you. 

OLEANDER: Faithful unto death. 

PEONY: You are too vain. 

POPPY: I detest you. 

PRIMROSE: Let me have your love. 

MONTHLY ROSE : Each month you have a different love. 

ROSE (red) : I love you madly. 

ROSE (white): I love your innocence. 

ROSELEAF (red): Yes. 

ROSELEAF (white): No. 

ROSEMARY: Remembrance. 

SWEETPEA: Inconstancy. 

VIOLET: I love your modesty. 






ARE YOU SUPERSTITIOUS? 13 

THE EYES. 

Persons with small eyes are usually healthy, very witty, 
rather jealous and very good hearted. Their undertakings will 
be met with very good fortune. 

Persons with large bright eyes are frank, insisting upon 
justice in everything. 

An eye sunken in the head shows a jealous and suspicious 
nature, cunning, deceit and treachery. 

People who squint are selfish but are strict and honorable 
in their dealings. 

Bright hazel eyes belong to a candid but rather devilish 
person who usually has good understanding. 

Mild blue eyes show an amiable character, very liable to be 
imposed upon. Such people usually know how to take care of 
their money, are gifted with good memories, and usually die 
without entering into matrimonial bliss. 

Small rather swollen eyes that stand out slightly denote an 
intelligent character, and would also make good writers. 

Very many rogues have what is termed a "wall eye," denot- 
ing deceit, selfishness, and absolute indifference to the opinion of 
others. 

Gray eyes usually denote an industrious disposition, these 
people being very bright but rather cruel toward others. 

THE NOSE. 

A person with a sharp nose is usually looking for trouble, 
and is very inquisitive. 

Persons with a flat fleshy spreading nose are usually like- 
able but are so vain and silly they do not usually amount to 
much. 

A "pug" or turn-up nose usually denotes sauciness and quick 
wit. 

A hook-nose generally denotes greed. 

Large nostrils usually belong to smart, energetic and good 
hearted people. 



14 ARE YOU SUPERSTITIOUS? 

THE FINGER NAILS. 

Round fingernails that are a delicate pink denote a person 
of good health and probable longevity. 

Long narrow pale nails predict an early death. 

If the flesh grows up around the nail it foretells poor health. 

THE HAIR. 

Thick, straight, fine glossy black hair usually belongs to 
persons of good disposition, very firm in their resolutions, 
usually faithful in love. If the hair be curly it shows one is 
easily influenced and if the hair be coarse and straight, the 
person will be unprincipled but yet be popular with the opposite 
sex. 

Thick, straight, glossy, fine brown hair shows a person of 
very good health, very fond of the opposite sex. Such people 
usually live long. If the hair be coarse and wiry it shows great 
determination to succeed in anything undertaken. If the hair 
be curly or kinky it shows a weakness of character, though not 
from lack of ability. 

Light brown hair if thick, shows a person with first-rate 
characteristics, they are usually generous and slow to anger. If 
the hair is curly the person is usually unreliable and will not 
be a desirable friend, as even though their intentions would be 
the best, they are so fond of comfort and ease, when the time 
comes to be accommodating, they will sacrifice anyone rather 
than be disturbed. 

Red hair . when thick denotes a cunning, suspicious and 
treacherous person. Ladies with red hair usually spend most of 
their time gossipping, and are great mischief makers as they do 
not always adhere to the truth. 

THE EYEBROWS. 

Full and even eyebrows show a person with few undersir- 
able characteristics, they are usually sincere, witty, but rather 
too generous with money, and for such reason will never be 
wealthy, although poverty will keep at a distance. 



ARE YOU SUPERSTITIOUS? 15 

Thick and very hairy eyebrows usually belong to a pessi- 
mistic, greedy person, given to excesses when someone else pays 
the bill, they cannot be sincere to any friendship, being amiable 
with people just so long as they can use them. 

Small thin eyebrows show the person to be goodtempered, 
bright and generous but a trifle too fond of praise. 

An eyebrow that is thick and goes off suddenly very thin, 
ending with thin points, shows a disagreeable person who if they 
do not get their own way make themselves and everyone around 
them very miserable, but whose manners are so delightful and 
perfect if things are going their way that they always have 
many friends. 

An eyebrow that is only thick and bushy in the center 
indicates the person has a bad heart and nothing is ever too 
terrible to seem impossible for them to do. 

WHAT DIFFERENT CHARACTERISTICS INDICATE. 

Delicacy in touch belongs to those who have a soft skin, 
though these people are subject to nervousness. 

A good memory is usually attached to persons who are 
smaller in the upper than the lower parts, these people are 
usually matter-of-fact and very precise in all they do. A bad 
memory is found in a dreamer. These people are usually 
slouchy and are never interested in the subject in hand, and the 
men are usually bald, and even though they may be very bright, 
their poor memory is constantly a source of annoyance. 

A good imagination is distinguished by a prominent fore- 
head. People of this type usually make our best writers. They 
frequently have a fixed, attentive look and are unconscious to 
what is going on around them. 

Good sight is enjoyed by persons who have thick straight 
eyelashes and large bushy eyebrows with eyes slightly con- 
tracted inward. 

The best faculty for tasting is enjoyed by those who have a 
spongy, soft tongue, well moistened with saliva. 

Persons with a large nose with short upper lip enjoy the 



16 ARE YOU SUPERSTITIOUS? 

most perfect sense of smell. 

A thick tongue usually denotes short life. 

Prudence is distinguished by a large head slightly bulged 
at the sides, high forehead, soft voice and thin hair. 

Stupidity may be recognized in a thick neck, plump arms, 
sides and loins, a small round head, flat in back, pale eyes, snuf- 
fing nostrils, giggling in excess, little hands, short fingers and 
thick short legs. 

Boldness is characterized by full lips, prominent teeth, 
arched eyebrows, short nose, long neck and full chest. 

Bashfulness may be known by downcast eyes, never wide 
open, but which look half shyly at one, and rather prominent 
ears. 

Irascibility is accompanied by an erect posture, a muddy 
complexion, large nostrils, direct speech, fat neck, full chest, 
and one who walks with short quick steps. 

Envy announces itself by a dark sullen melancholy expres- 
sion with small squinty eyes. 

Gayety is shown by an open carefree countenance, a musi- 
cal voice, and a clear skin. 

An amorous disposition may be known by a small slender 
face, dark complexioned, a quantity of hair on all parts of the 
body and narrow chest. 

Strength of mind is signified by brown hair, a body neither 
large nor small, broad shoulders and a direct way of speaking. 

Pride confesses itself in arched eyebrows, large prominent 
eyes and a small mouth slightly compressed. 

We should flee when we meet with, a high forehead, firm, 
short thick neck, quick speech, a piercing eye, short fleshy hands 
and fingers, because we may be sure the person is too perverse 
to make a friendship desirable. 

Upright eyebrows show an amiable disposition, accompanied 
by tidiness often carried to an extreme. 

A very large mouth with overhanging lip shows a person of 
unsteady character. 



ARE YOU SUPERSTITIOUS? 17 

Small mouths usually belong to very capable persons who 
mean exactly what they say. 

Great ears indicate a generous heart, which guides the 
person in all actions instead of the head. 

Square ears denote a person who never jumps at anything 
before first weighing the matter in every particular. These 
people are usually very successful in life. 

HANDKERCHIEF FLIRTATION. 

Drawing across the lips signifies — Desirous of acquaintance. 

Drawing across the eyes — I am sorry. 

Taking it by the center — You are too willing. 

Dropping — We will be friends. 

Drawing across the cheek — I love you. 

Drawing through the hands — I hate you. 

Letting it rest on right cheek — Yes. 

Letting it rest on left cheek — No. 

Twirling it in left hand — I wish to get rid of you. 

Twirling in right hand — I love another. 

Folding it — I wish to speak with you. 

Over the shoulder — Follow me. 

Opposite corners in both hands — I wait for you. 

Drawing across the forehead — We are watched. 

Placing on left ear — I have a message for you. 

Letting it remain on eyes — You are cruel. 

Winding around forefinger — I am engaged. 

Winding around third finger — I am married. 

Putting it in pocket — No more at present. 

PRECIOUS STONES. 

Precious stones as well as flowers have their sentiments, 
which many people consider when they make a gift of one to a 
sweetheart or friend. 

The garnet signifies constancy and fidelity. 

Amethyst — Sincerity. 

Bloodstone — Courage. 



IS ARE YOU SUPERSTITIOUS? 

Sapphire — Repentance. 

Emerald — Success in love. 

Agate — Health and long life. 

Ruby — Forgetfulness of, and exemption from, vexation 
caused by friendship and love. 

Sardonyx — Conjugal fidelity. 

Chrysolite — Freedom from evil passions and sadness. 

Opal — Hope and faith. 

Topaz — Fidelity and friendship. 

Turquoise — Prosperity. 

Diamond — Innocence. 

Pearl — Purity. 

Cornelian — Contentment. 

Moonstone — Protection from danger. 

Amethyst — Sharpens wits, turns away evil thoughts, and 
gives knowledge of future in dreams. 

Bloodstone — This revives the spirits and incites to great 
deeds. 

Coral (red) — Stops bleeding; preserves houses from light- 
ening and children from evil spirits. It will be observed to grow 
pale when the wearer is ill. 

Diamond- — Gives victory to him who carries it on his left 
arm. Panics, pestilences, enchantments — all fly before it. It is 
good for sleepwalkers and the insane. 

Emerald — A good preservative against decay. The emerald 
loses its color particularly when given as a love token, as the 
faith of the giver wavers. 

Garnet — Preserves health, and promotes joy, but with lovers 
it is a cause of discord. 

Jasper (green) — Gives strength to brain and promotes elo- 
quence. 

Opal — Cheers the heart and dispels sadness. Also preserves 
from infection. 

Pearls — Comfort the heart and render possessor chaste. 

Ruby — Preserves bodily health and reconciles differences 
among friends. 

Sapphire — Promotes cheerfulness. Good amulet against 
fear. 

/ 



ARE YOU Sri'KRSTITlOUS? 



Topaz — Relieves affections of the mind and is good against 
sleepwalking. 

Turquoise — When given as a love token — should this stone 
turn green, it is a sign of unfaithfulness. 

CHARMS AND CEREMONIES. 

Any person fasting on midsummer eve and sitting on the 
church porch, will at midnight see the spirits of the persons of 
that parish who will die that year come and knock at the church 
door in the order and succession in which they will die. 

An unmarried woman fasting on midsummer eve and at 
midnight laying a clean cloth, with bread, cheese and ale and 
sitting down as if going to eat, the street door being left open, 
the person whom she is to marry will come into the room and 
drink to her, afterward filling the glass will leave it on the 
table, make another bow and retire. 

To find out the name of your future husband, let any two 
girls in the company take a Bible and open it in the book of 
Ruth at the verse beginning "And Ruth said: 'Entreat me not to 
leave thee, or to return from following after thee, for where 
thou goest, will I go,' etc.," and place a key therein, binding the 
book together tightly with the garter of the young woman who 
wishes to know the name of her future husband, leaving the top 
of the key protruding from the book. Then let each of the two 
damsels aforesaid put her forefinger under the key, and say over 
the alphabet slowly. For instance after saying the letter "A" 
the one desirous of knowing her fortune will repeat the verse in 
the Bible aforementioned, and after each succeeding letter. As 
she reaches the first letter in the man's name the key will turn 
on the fingers as the verse is being repeated. Then begin over 
again going through the same process until the whole name has 
been spelled out. 

SIGNS OF SPEEDY MARRIAGE. 

For a woman to have the first and last letters of her Christ- 
ian name the same with the man's surname that makes love to 
her, denotes a great union and a generous love. 



20 ARE YOU SUPERSTITIOUS? 

For a man to have the first and last letters of his Christian 
name the same with the woman's surname, denotes the same. 

To think of a party on a sudden awakening without any 
meditation on a Friday morning, indicates a declaration of love. 

If a ring accidently falls and rolls to the feet of an un- 
married woman, it is a sign that she will speedily be married. 

The singing of a robin at your window at the time of court- 
ship on a Wednesday is a sign that you shall have the party 
desired. 

If walking abroad with your sweetheart you perceive a pair 
of pigeons circling around you, it is a sign of marriage and 
happiness. 

If a hare cross you on a Saturday morning, it promises 
happy days, riches and pleasure. 

TELLING FORTUNES BY MEANS OF MOLES. 

A person's character can generally be told by the moles 
that appear on their body. If the mole is round, it signifies 
good, if oblong, a moderate share of good fortune, if angular, a 
fair proportion of good and evil. The more pronounced the 
color, more pronounced will be the good or bad fortune. If the 
mole is very hairy, one had best beware, as much misfortune is 
in store, if only a few hairs grow on it, a little better fortune 
will be in store, but if no hair at all appears, Dame Fortune 
assures us she will smile favorably upon all our undertakings. 

ANKLE. If on a man, he will be very effiminate, will be 
fond of loud clothes, and will make a better salesman in a store 
dealing with women's goods than anything else he could under- 
take to do. If on a woman, she will be active and witty. A 
happy marriage, riches and honor will.be hers. 

ARM. On either arm it denotes great success in life, con- 
jugal fidelity, and although there will be many battles to fight, 
the firm resolution and industrious disposition which accom- 
panies a mole so situated, predicts great success in all, denoting 
a happy life never knowing poverty. If on a man, he will be a 
widower in the prime of life, but if on a woman, she will survive 
her husband. 



ARE YOU SUPERSTITIOUS? 21 



ARMPITS. You will be very goodlooking and will become 
rich through legacies, and do much good with your money. 

BACK. This is very unlucky, signifying misfortune and 
defeat in any enterprise, even though an energetic disposition 
accompanies it. 

BELLY. Shows an indolent slothful disposition, very self- 
ish, and so fond of the pleasures of life, that there will be small 
successes, but marriage to a partner who will be successful 
enough to make life comfortable, and children who will be very 
successful. 

BOSOM. Shows an irritable, nagging disposition. 

BREAST. Shows a disposition given to drink, denotes 
much misfortune brought about thereby and sudden reverses 
from riches to poverty, in fact a life made up mostly of disagree- 
able incidents, one blessing, however, being a kind, industrious 
partner. Many children will be yours but all will be girls, who 
will marry well and take care of you in your old age. A mole 
on the left breast shows one fond of athletics, healthy, with 
much love and happiness derived from a happy marriage. 

A mole near the heart on a man shows an unsettled indif- 
ferent disposition, not caring enough for public opinion to guard 
one's actions, until about thirty-five, when there will be a 
reformation. In a woman it denotes a strict regard for char- 
acter, rather fortunate than otherwise. 

BUTTOCKS. Signifies poverty, for though possessed of 
good brain power, you will be too lazy to do anything for your- 
self and under this sign none will do anything for you. 

CHEEK. A mole on either cheek shows an industrious dis- 
position but too grave and solemn to make many friends or be 
successful enough to become rich, although poverty will never 
knock at the door, as the disposition accompanying a mole so 
situated is plodding, never being content to sit idle. Two chil- 
dren will come who will be more successful than the parents. 

EAR. On either ear, it denotes riches which will be made 
by an unexpected stroke of luck. On the very lowest tip, it 
denotes death by drowning, and such people should never take 
any trips by water. 



ARE YOU SUPERSTITIOUS? 



CHIN. A mole on the chin shows a peaceful and amiable 
disposition, very fond of travel and of the opposite sex. It 
denotes great success in life and the accumulation of a large 
fortune by lucky speculation, though about the age of forty 
losses are indicated on the water. 

ELBOW. A mole on either elbow shows a dissatisfied dis- 
position, discontented in the married state. It predicts losses 
of both reputation and money. 

EYE. A mole on the outside corner of either eye denotes 
a pleasure loving disposition, foretelling a sudden death after a 
life of pleasure, together with some misfortune. Poverty will 
never be known under this sign. 

EYEBROW. On the right eyebrow shows a quick active 
nature, ability to make friends and keep them and predicts great 
success in all undertakings, and a very happy marriage. Long 
life is also predicted under this sign. If on the left eyebrow, 
an irritable disposition is shown, few friends, unsuccessful 
business undertakings, disobedient children and a peevish con- 
jugal partner. 

FINGER. It denotes dishonesty and poverty. 

FOOT. A mole on either foot shows a brooding, dreaming 
disposition, one who waits for good fortune to present itself, 
without doing anything by his own efforts to bring it about. 
These people are usually great readers and not athletic and 
their inactivity often produces poor health. Much misfortune 
and many sorrows will be theirs. 

FOREHEAD. A mole in the center of the forehead pre- 
dicts an untiring worker, good disposition, and one who will sur- 
mount many obstacles and be very successful in life, make a 
happy marriage and have a child who will become distinguished. 
(See Eyebrow for mole on side of the forehead.) On the right 
of forehead or temple, shows a fair industrious character, much 
given to outdoor sports, riches from an unexpected source and a 
very happy marriage. 

GROIN. On the right groin it predicts much poor health 
but not serious enough to confine one to bed, much pleasure 
being derived from the wealth which follows under this sign. 



ARE YOU SUPERSTITIOUS? 23 



The left groin is unfavorable, predicting much poor health, the 
need to work to live and not much success. 

HAND. Moles on either hand indicate industry and 
wealth; also that you will be happy in your progeny. 

HEEL. A mole on the heel shows a spiteful nature, but 
with much energy. Such a person will not have many friends. 

HIPS. A mole situated on either hip indicates a contented 
person, industrious and abstemious. It foreshadows moderate 
success in life and many children. 

INSTEP. You will be a great walker and dreamer, quick 
tempered and people will be inclined to shun you as you will be 
very fond of an argument. 

KNEE. A mole on the left knee shows a passionate dispo- 
sition. It denotes extravagance and little consideration for the 
feelings of others; your head will rule your heart and you will 
make a rich marriage and have one child. On the right knee 
shows an even unruffled temper, a happy marriage with few 
crosses, many friends, with moderate success in business. 

LEG. Moles on either leg show a person of indolent, 
thoughtless disposition, amorous and given to dissipation. Al- 
though imprisonment is foreshadowed, yet such a person will 
generally succeed in his undertakings. 

LIPS. A mole on either lip signifies a sober, affectionate 
disposition, successful in undertakings — particularly in love af- 
fairs, and indicates rising above present surroundings. 

NECK. On the front this is a very good sign and if born 
poor your circumstances will be absolutely reversed and you 
will become very rich. It is unlucky on the back of the neck, 
foretelling many disappointments. If on the right side behind 
the ear you should learn to govern your temper as this sign 
prognosticates quarrels and often murder, the subject often 
being hung. 

NOSE. Indicates a hasty and passionate nature, sincere 
in friendship, amorous and rather intemperate. Denotes success 
in love and such a person should marry well. 



24 



ARE YOU SUPERSTITIOUS? 



THROAT. Predicts good health and a happy and wealthy 
marriage. 

TONGUE. A mole on a man's tongue indicates he will 
marry a rich celebrity. On a woman it denotes reserve of 
manner, also a fortunate marriage. 

SHOULDER. On the left shoulder shows a person inclined 
to be nervous and cranky, fond of pleasures of love, and a life 
with success and misfortune about equally divided. On the 
right shoulder indicates a person who weighs their words well 
before they speak, one who will travel extensively and be very 
prosperous after thirty. 

WRIST. Denotes industry, constant in affections. Will 
acquire a comfortable fortune, a good life companion, but such 
a person will have some trouble about the age of thirty. In 
a man it indicates he will be married twice. 




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